JAMB and WAEC English Language questions: Sentence interpretation

56 questions with answers and explanations. Tap an option to check yourself.

1. Question 21· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

   'Bisi was on cloud nine after the results came out' means that Bisi was

   • Aextremely happy
   • Bconfused
   • Cabsent
   • Dworried

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   Explanation and discussion

2. Question 22· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

   'Not until the bell rang did the students leave.' This means that the students

   • Aleft only when the bell rang
   • Bleft before the bell rang
   • Cnever left
   • Drang the bell

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3. Question 23· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

   'My uncle is a man of straw' means that he is

   • Aa builder
   • Ba farmer
   • Cvery strong
   • Da person of no real substance or means

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   Explanation and discussion

4. Question 24· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   'No sooner had she arrived than she started complaining.' This means that she

   • Abegan to complain immediately after arriving
   • Bcomplained before arriving
   • Cdid not arrive
   • Darrived late

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5. Question 25· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

   Which option best explains the sentence 'Musa is a man of his word'?

   • AMusa talks a lot
   • BMusa keeps his promises
   • CMusa is a good speaker
   • DMusa tells the truth only sometimes

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6. Question 26· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

   'The thief took to his heels when he saw the police.' This means that the thief

   • Asurrendered
   • Bfell down
   • Chid his shoes
   • Dran away

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7. Question 27· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

   'The new manager is a hard nut to crack.' This means that the manager is

   • Aeasily defeated
   • Bfond of nuts
   • Cvery strong
   • Ddifficult to persuade or deal with

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8. Question 28· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

   'The minister's appeal fell on deaf ears' means that

   • Ait was in sign language
   • Bit was too loud
   • Cno one paid attention to it
   • Dit was widely praised

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9. Question 29· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

   'The minister's appeal fell on deaf ears.' This means that the appeal was

   • Atoo loud
   • Bignored
   • Cwidely praised
   • Dbroadcast on radio

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10. Question 30· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'Hardly had we sat down when the lights went off.' This means that

    • Awe did not sit down
    • Bthe lights went off immediately after we sat down
    • Cthe lights were off before we sat
    • Dwe stood for a long time

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11. Question 31· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

    'Emeka is regarded as the black sheep of the family.' This means that Emeka is

    • Aconsidered a disgrace to the family
    • Bthe eldest child
    • Cthe darkest in the family
    • Dthe family's shepherd

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12. Question 32· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

    'Had Bola known about the test, she would have studied harder.' This means that Bola

    • Aknew about the test and studied hard
    • Bstudied hard but still failed
    • Cdid not know about the test
    • Drefused to study

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13. Question 33· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

    'Were I in your position, I would accept the offer.' This means that the speaker

    • Ais not in the listener's position
    • Bhas already accepted the offer
    • Cis in the listener's position
    • Drefuses the offer

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14. Question 34· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

    'The new library is still on the drawing board.' This means that the library is

    • Aalready built
    • Bstill being planned
    • Cbeing drawn by artists
    • Dabandoned

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15. Question 35· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

    'The students burnt the midnight oil before the examination' means that they

    • Astudied late into the night
    • Bset the hostel on fire
    • Cwasted kerosene
    • Dslept early

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16. Question 36· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    Which option best explains the sentence 'Ada's success has gone to her head'?

    • AShe has become proud because of it
    • BShe has become cleverer
    • CShe is worried about it
    • DShe has forgotten about it

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17. Question 37· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'My uncle is a man of means.' This means that my uncle

    • Ais wise
    • Bis mean
    • Cis hardworking
    • Dis wealthy

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18. Question 38· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

    'No sooner had she sat down than the phone rang.' This means that

    • Athe phone rang before she sat down
    • Bthe phone rang immediately after she sat down
    • Cshe never sat down
    • Dshe answered the phone while standing

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19. Question 39· Sentence interpretation· JAMB

    'Bisi was given the cold shoulder at the party.' This means that Bisi

    • Awas deliberately ignored
    • Bcaught a cold
    • Cwas given cold food
    • Ddanced all night

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20. Question 40· Sentence interpretation· WAEC

    'Ngozi would rather starve than beg.' This means Ngozi

    • Ais starving now
    • Blikes begging
    • Cwill beg if hungry
    • Dprefers starving to begging

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    Explanation and discussion